Last month it was discovered that Warner Bros Home Video was working on Ultimate Extended Editions of the Harry Potter films, which spawned rumors of possible theatrical rereleases. Unfortunately it doesn’t appear like the extended cuts will be released on the big screen, but today Warner Home Video unveiled their plans, complete with photos and a trailer, for a new Ultimate Edition release of the series on DVD/Blu-Ray.

I’ve always wished that Warner Bros had filmed extended editions of the Harry Potter films, in the same vein as Peter Jackson filmed the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Of course, anyone who knows the many differences between the books and the released films knows that it really wouldn’t have been possible. To squeeze the most important plot points into the films, scenes, characters and information have been combined in a way that sometimes eliminate the wonderful side stories that we loved from the novels.

Over the course of the series, there have been only a few scenes, sequences and moments that were filmed but ended up on the cutting room floor. So how much longer can we expect from an “extended edition”? Not much. Year one will be seven minutes longer to be exact. Year two will include 13 extra minutes. Thankfully, the Ultimate Editions are Ultimate because of a bunch of other additions. Details below.

The Ultimate Editions of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets will hit stores on December 8th 2009. The DVD editions will be 4 discs, and the Blu-ray editions will be 3 discs. Preorder now on Amazon:

Hogwarts Grounds: Quaffle and Bludger – Get a lesson from Oliver Wood on how to play Quidditch; Tour Hagrid’s Hut – Welcome to the self-guided tour of Hagrid’s Hut, home of Rubeus Hagrid, the keeper of keys and grounds at Hogwarts, and his faithful companion, Fang.

Extra Credit

Interview – Capturing the Stone: A Conversation with the Filmmakers – Director Chris Columbus, Producer David Heyman, Screenwriter Steve Kloves and Production Designer Stuart Craig talk about casting and bringing the novel to life

DISC 4:

Introduction by Daniel Radcliffe – An introduction to the many special features for the Harry Potter films [NEW]

Creating the World of Harry Potter, Part 1: The Magic Begins – Discover the story of how one vision for the Harry Potter films came together out of limitless possibilities to create the visual world we have come to know and love. [NEW]

A Glimpse Into the World of Harry Potter 2001 International TV Special

Deleted Scenes

Trailers and TV Spots

Chamber of Secrets:

Creating the World of Harry Potter Part 2: Characters

A Whole New Realm of Discovery … Discover the intriguing inside stories of why so many of Britain’s most celebrated stars took roles in the series

See the newly unveiled screen test between Daniel Radcliffe and Evanna Lynch (selected to play Luna out of 15,000 hopefuls!)

Go on the set to see firsthand how each of the directors brought unique strengths to the series

Witness the amazing transformations as Daniel, Rupert and Emma grow with their characters over a decade of unprecedented filmmaking.

DISC 2: Extended Version with 13 Minutes of Footage Not Shown in Theatres.

DISC 3:

Deleted Scenes

Lockhart’s Classroom

Photo Gallery: Certificates – Have a look at Gilderoy Lockhart’s many achievements; Required Reading – Find out what text books you’ll need for Lockhart’s Defense Against the Dark Arts class.

Extra Credit

Behind Hogwarts

A Conversation with J.K. Rowling and Steve Kloves – The author and screenwriter detail how the books are brought to life, and the changes that happen in the process.

Dumbledore’s Office

Build a Scene – Building a scene as magnificent as Professor Dumbledore’s office takes more than wood, plaster, nails and paint. It takes imagination.

Tour Dumbledore’s Office – Welcome to the self-guided tour of Professor Dumbledore’s office, one of the most fascinating rooms at Hogwarts.

Interviews with Students, Professors and More

Gallery of Production Sketches

Activities

Spellcaster Knowledge Challenge [Game]

EA Game Preview

DISC 4:

Creating the World of Harry Potter, Part 2: Characters – Explore how the cast and creative team of directors and designers take the character’s descriptions on the page to the actor’s performances on film.

Screen Tests of Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Revealed – 2002 HBO First Look special